Mountain Bike Trails in Krynica-Zdrój

Krynica-Zdrój has its own network of mountain bike trails: eight themed loops totalling 125 km, named after the town's mineral springs. All start from the same spot – on the promenade just below the tourist information office – and all are one-way. The shortest is under 5 km; the longest climbs to Jaworzyna Krynicka (1,114 m).

Eight loops, from Słotwinka to Karol

The trails are signposted with coloured plates showing the route name and a cyclist logo in the loop's colour. Figures according to the Krynica Tourist Organisation:

• Słotwinka (purple) – 4.6 km, 278 m of climbing, high point 738 m.
• Kryniczanka (blue) – 9.4 km, 511 m up, high point 771 m.
• Tadeusz (black) – 11.1 km, 385 m up, high point 831 m.
• Jan (orange) – 14.6 km, 479 m up, high point 864 m.
• Józef (red) – 14.6 km, 519 m up, high point 902 m.
• Mieczysław (brown) – 22 km, 758 m up, all the way to 1,114 m.
• Zuber (green) – 22.3 km, 633 m up, high point 893 m.
• Karol (yellow) – 25 km and 975 m of climbing, also to 1,114 m – the toughest of the network.

Navigation and rules

Each trail can be downloaded as a GPX track or opened in the free mapy.cz app. These are mountain-bike-only routes, partly running along hiking trails – at junctions with footpaths and at hazards (steep descents, road crossings, animals, changes of direction) you will find warnings painted in fluorescent yellow. You can join a loop anywhere in Krynica and follow the signs from there.

Curiosities

The loop names double as a list of Krynica's waters: from Kryniczanka and Zuber to Słotwinka, Józef and Mieczysław. The routes lead over Góra Parkowa and towards Jaworzyna Krynicka, among other places, so you pass landmarks familiar from the promenade and the cable cars. The climbs are substantial: even the short Słotwinka has almost 300 m of ascent, Karol nearly a kilometre.

Tripto tips

On your first day choose Słotwinka or Kryniczanka, and save the longer loops for good weather and good legs. Before setting off, be sure to read the trail regulations on the tourist organisation's website. Watch out for walkers – some sections are shared paths. Allow half a day for Mieczysław or Karol and take water, a jacket and lights. Afterwards you can rest at the pump rooms on the promenade, where every loop begins.